Whilst it's tempting to dive into the excellent back catalogue of Batman comics to look for storylines and characters we could see, Affleck told Cines Argentinos back in March that we should expect to see something a little bit new this time around:

"I think what I would do is, I would probably do in some ways what Zack [Snyder] did with this movie, which is to borrow certain things from great comic books but create an original story around it. Because I wouldn’t want fans to already know the story and be familiar, but I would borrow and steal great things that have been done before in the comics."

The DCEU Bruce Wayne is a snazzy dresser [DC/Warner]

There's a few things we can take from this statement. Gunning for an original story is a good, if tricky concept. Emulating Snyder though might not be the best idea after the poor performance of Batman v Superman, but Affleck's back catalogue gives us strength.

The DC films — even Christopher Nolan's trilogy — still feel like they're missing a fully rounded Batman. He's not just a rich vigilante with a penchant for Bat memorabilia: He's a son and a father, a detective and a genius who doesn't always have to rely on his fists and gadgets to resolve situations.

Here's a few things we think should make good additions to the DCEU at this stage, let's break it down.

1. Make It A Prequel

Batman: Year One

Who exactly is the DCEU Batman? Why is he so moody? What's with the tiny little bat ears? Did he get the idea for the voice-modulating unit after laughing at Christian Bale's growly Batman voice?

We're not talking origins — let's not go that basic here, c'mon. But there's a lot of backstory still needing filled in around our DCEU Batman — especially in regards to that Jokerized fallen-Robin suit. The Batman solo movie seems an excellent place to explore that (we can do without seeing Thomas and Martha Wayne dying again though).

2. Get The Batfamily On The Go

Not only that, but they provide a perfect sounding board for exploring the part of Batman/Bruce Wayne we don't usually see on-screen. From his troubled relationship with his son Damien Wayne/Robin to the driving guilt he feels from what happened to Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in The Killing Joke, the Batfamily bring out the best in Batman, but sometimes drive him to do the worst.

3. Lay Down Your Guns

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Batman. Doesn't. Use. Guns.

Okay, I know. Yes there have been instances in the comics where he has bent or broken his "no guns" rule, especially in the early issues of Detective Comics when the character was still being defined. But the early days Batman also said things like "Quiet or papa spank!" when apprehending Catwoman, so we're not taking any advice from this guy.

Sadly this is a legit Batman comic. [The Brave and the Bold]

The best Batman is a Batman who doesn't rely on firearms, instead using his instinct, intelligence and skills honed from years of hard work. As he says in The Dark Knight Returns:

"A gun is a coward's weapon. A liar's weapon. We kill too often because we've made it easy... too easy... sparing ourselves the mess and the work."

4. World's Greatest Detective

Batman faces the Riddler [Batman #33]

Another thing that often gets pushed to the wayside in Batman adaptations is the fact that he does more than just go around punching people in a cape. One of his monikers, after all, is the World's Greatest Detective. Remember that little-known title named Detective Comics? The clue is in the name.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice did a pretty good job of showing us a least a portion of Batman's analytical skills, particularly in his undercover investigation of Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). Again The Dark Knight trilogy spent some time glancing at this aspect of Batman's personality, but his analytical skills tended to be glossed over in favor of having fancy equipment do the work for him.

His active assistance in Batman's adventures — remotely piloting the Batplane and taking a strong hand in the creation of Batman's suit and gadgets — serves to further justify how Batman manages to do what he does without being in possession of superpowers.

He's also an important member of the Batfamily, especially in modern iterations of the comic books such as Death of the Family and Injustice: Gods Among Us. Jeremy Irons's sasspot Alfred provides a welcome foil to the pressing seriousness of Affleck's Batman, a modicum of a father figure in the background.

Bruce and Alfred [DC/Warner]

And he's another character introduced in the DCEU who still leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Where did he learn to craft suits and armor? Is he, as in Batman: Earth One, actually an ex-military bodyguard for the Wayne family rather than a butler?